EC deputes special observer for Bengal polls

Kolkata: The Election Commission has deputed a special observer for the Lok sabha polls in West Bengal, in a replay of the step it had taken to supervise the general election in the state 10 years back.

Sudhir Kumar Rakesh, who earlier served as the chief electoral officer of Bihar, arrived in the city on Wednesday night, a day ahead of the first phase of polls in the state, said Amit Roy Chowdhury, officer on special duty (OSD), Election Commission, West Bengal.

Rakesh, a 1983 batch IAS officer, would monitor the polling process in all the 42 seats in the state.

The appointment of the special observer coincided with the alleged assault on Election Commission officials in Manickchak and Kalaganj of Malda district, Habra of North 24 Parganas and Howrah city.

In 2004, Afzal Amanullah had been sent as a special observer in the state